AboutWilliam B. Jeffries, Ph.D. Expertise Questions on the mechanism of action and side effects of antihypertensive drugs, the epidemiology of hypertension and the cardiovascular complications of untreated or undertreated high blood pressure
Experience I have been an investigator in the field of hypertension research for over 20 years.
Organizations Council for High Blood Pressure Research
American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
American Heart Association
Publications Hypertension, Journal of Hypertension, Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Molecular Pharmacology, American Journal of Physiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Dentistry
Question Hello: I am a 67-year-old man dealing with hypertenion, diabetes type 2 and high cholestrol. I am currently taking lisinopril 20/12.5mg once a day, caduet 10.40 mg once a day and carvedilol 25 mg twice a day. My blood pressure has been good lately (120/50 yesterday at the doctor's office) but the cholestrol is still high. My question is I wish to use generic drugs to save money. My doctor suggests amlodipine 5 mg once a day and simvastatin 40 mg once a day. How do you feel about that? Also my doctor put me on lovaza 1gm twice a day. Would over-the-counter omega 3 fish oils accomplish the same thing? Thank you.
Answer Caduet is a combination of amlodipine and atorvostatin (which is in the same class as simvastatin) so the switch would be OK as long as you remember to take both pills. Lovaza capsules contain eicosapentaenic acid (epa) 465mg and docosahexaenoic acid (dha). Omega 3 Fish oil capsules can contain similar amounts of these substances but care must be taken to ensure product quality and that the dose is actually equivalent. The advantage of this Lovanza is that unlike store brand fish oils, is is guaranteed to contain a therapetic amount of EPA and DPA (i.e., is is pharmaceutical grade). Your doctor will be helpful in determining whether a particular store brand of fish oil capsules are equivalent or not. Good luck!
